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Times Square warnings cut into characters' tips

Verena Dobnik Associated Press

Updated:
08/13/2014 01:47:03 AM EDT

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In this Aug. 11, 2014 photo Hugo Gomez depicts Lady Liberty in New York's Times Square, where police have begun a campaign in five languages to inform tourists that photos with costumed characters are free and tipping is optional. Gomez, a 34-year-old Dominican immigrant with three children, stands on prosthetic devices under the gown for five-hour stretches, but says the work now takes a toll without much payoff. He says that before the police-enforced measure, his act drew about $150 in tips each day. In recent days, it was only about $40. (AP Photo/Verena Dobnik)

NEW YORK (AP) — Bright red police leaflets warning Times Square tourists that photos with costumed characters are free, and tipping is optional, are taking a bite out of the bottom line for the many Elmos, Mickey Mouses, SpongeBobs and Statues of Liberty who dress up to help make ends meet.

The blitz kicked off over the weekend, with officers handing out fliers in five languages. City officials say they had to take action after physical attacks on some visitors, including children. The unruliness peaked last month when a Spider-Man was accused of punching a police officer for telling a woman the character could not force her to pay up.

Hours after the fliers started circulating Saturday, four fake superheroes were arrested for blocking pedestrians and grabbing one for a picture.

Some of the mostly Spanish-speaking immigrants who wear the giant costumes say they have been left with far less to feed their families.

"Photos with costumed characters are free. Tipping is optional," read the warnings in English, Spanish, Chinese, German and French. Visitors are told to find police or call 911 if they're being pressured for cash.

Standing 7 feet tall and swathed in light green robes with an American flag pouring down her right arm, Lady Liberty — as played by Hugo Gomez, a 34-year-old Dominican immigrant with three children — has a prime spot in the middle of Times Square.

He leaned down to whisper to a reporter that before the police-enforced measure, he drew about $150 in tips each day. In recent days, he made about $40.

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Gomez said he never begs. People still come to him, but the cash has shrunk. And standing on prosthetic devices for five-hour stretches is taking a toll, he said — without much payoff.

"My skin swells every day," he says, his eyes gleaming behind his mask.

One Elmo who's losing money is angry at police.

"All they say is, 'Go, go, go away, move, move, move!'" says Alberto Ramirez, a Peruvian native from New Jersey standing by the TKTS theater discount booth, where people in line behind barricades are an easy target.

He says he pulled in $20 for eight hours, half of the $40 he made before, with five kids to feed.

City officials say the warnings were needed to curtail any abuse.

"They're doing it for people's safety," says Barati Narasim, a New York mother and software expert who offered a few dollars to a Spider-Man posing with her son and his friend.

The City Council is working on a bill to require licensing, something Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Alliance, says would help legitimate operators by putting "bad players" out of business.

Even Gomez, aka Lady Liberty, favors licensing.

"We all know legalizing our work with a license," he says, "would make things normal, smoother."